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README.1ST
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1999-07-10
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DBar Version "JFF"a
(for SBCS OS/2 Warp)
Created by The Castle Production
Internet E-Mail: wetcastle@hotmail.com
Internet WWW: http://members.xoom.com/castlemaster
Note: This README.1ST file was written by Timothy Sipples to expand on the
information provided in the original program distribution. The original
README.TXT file is retained.
INTRODUCTION
------------
Welcome to DBar for OS/2 Warp! Although IBM produces Chinese language
versions of OS/2 Warp for sale in Asia, many users around the world may need
to create and view Chinese language documents. Fortunately IBM has added
new Universal Language Support (ULS), Unicode, and other features to OS/2
Warp which allow SBCS (Single Byte Character Set) versions of OS/2 Warp to
handle DBCS (Double Byte Character Set) languages.
DBar is designed to provide basic Chinese language keyboard entry
capabilities when using a SBCS version of OS/2 Warp. Some (but not all)
applications will readily accept Chinese language input, including common
applications such as the OS/2 System Editor.
This "Just For Fun" version has some limitations and outright defects.
However, it can provide basic Chinese language keyboard entry capabilities
for OS/2 Warp users who don't happen to be using the DBCS translated
editions.
Both Big5 and GB modes are supported.
PREREQUISITES
-------------
To run DBar (and view Chinese language files) you must be running any
version of OS/2 Warp, Warp Server, or WorkSpace On-Demand. You should also
install a relatively recent IBM fixpack for your version of OS/2 Warp. (For
example, OS/2 Warp Version 4 requires Fixpack 5 or later.) IBM fixpacks are
available for download from IBM Software Support at
http://service5.boulder.ibm.com/pspfixpk.nsf. They are also available from
BMT Micro (http://www.bmtmicro.com) and Indelible Blue
(http://www.indelible-blue.com).
You should also install Java Version 1.1.4 (or later) runtime with Unicode
support. (The Unicode support provides the necessary character sets for
displaying and printing the Chinese language.) The Java runtime with
Unicode can be downloaded from IBM's web site at
http://www.software.ibm.com/os/warp/downloads/java. It is also available on
CD-ROM from Indelible Blue and BMT Micro.
Please be sure to read the fixpack and Java installation instructions for
any other prerequisites they may require.
Note that Warp Server for e-business and WorkSpace On-Demand Version 2 do
not require any fixpacks or Java updates to run DBar.
The EMX runtime should also be installed. You can obtain the EMX runtime
(usually filename EMXRT.ZIP) from "Hobbes" at http://ftp-os2.nmsu.edu.
CODEPAGE SETUP
--------------
After installing the necessary Universal Language Support and Unicode (with
the fixpack and Java installation), you must make some minor changes to
CONFIG.SYS to activate Chinese language support.
Edit CONFIG.SYS with a text editor (such as the OS/2 System Editor). Locate
the COUNTRY line in the file. For example, in the U.S. English version of
OS/2 Warp it may read:
COUNTRY=001,C:\OS2\SYSTEM\COUNTRY.SYS
Change it to read:
COUNTRY=088,C:\OS2\SYSTEM\COUNTRY.SYS
if you plan to use "Big5" character codes.
Then locate the CODEPAGE line in CONFIG.SYS, which may read:
CODEPAGE=437,850
and change it to read:
CODEPAGE=950,850
for "Big5."
If you plan to use GB codes, use these two lines instead:
COUNTRY=086,C:\OS2\SYSTEM\COUNTRY.SYS
CODEPAGE=1381,850
Shutdown and reboot. After making these changes you should be able to use
the OS/2 System Editor (or the Enhanced Editor) to view Chinese text files,
assuming you have selected an appropriate font for viewing (such as Times
New Roman MT 30).
These modifications are not necessary if you only plan to view Chinese
language files in Netscape Communicator or other applications which are
"Locale aware." In Netscape Communicator you will need to choose the
correct character encoding (from the View -> Encoding menu) and perhaps also
change the font (Edit -> Preferences -> Fonts) for any encoding(s) you may
use. (Although not always attractive at small point sizes, Times New Roman
MT 30 is a good font choice.)
Other applications which can handle Chinese language display include MR/2
ICE e-mail (see http://nick.secant.com) and Sun's HotJava web browser.
Some applications (particularly those which are not DBCS or Locale aware)
may have difficulty with setting 950 or 1381 as the primary codepage. If
so, try making the Chinese codepage secondary. For example:
CODEPAGE=950,850
becomes:
CODEPAGE=850,950
U.S. users may find that substituting codepage 437 for 850 works better:
CODEPAGE=437,950
When the Chinese codepage is secondary, you must use the CHCP (change
codepage) command prior to starting any application which requires the
Chinese codepage, including DBar. Sample batch files (DB950.CMD and
DB1381.CMD) are provided to demonstrate how to change codepages and start
DBar. The following series of commands is one example:
CHCP 950
DBAR
CHCP 437
INSTALLATION
------------
Simply unzip DBar in any empty directory. You may also wish to add this
directory to the PATH in CONFIG.SYS. And you may also wish to set up a
program object for the DBar batch file you have modified (DB950.CMD or
DB1381.CMD).
In other words, there's no special setup required (other than the codepage
setup) to run DBar.
Note that GB code users may generate extraordinarily large Chinese
characters if the correct versions of DBAR.INI, PHASE.INI, and PUNCT.INI are
not used. GB users should run the following commands in the DBar directory:
RENAME *.INI *.B5
RENAME *.GB *.INI
to make use of the correct versions of these files.
If you decide to experiment and create your own character coding mechanisms,
please keep a backup of the critical configuration files. See README.TXT
for details on the contents of the INI files.
DBar and Chinese Editor share a common format for their input method
configuration files.
LIMITATIONS
-----------
Some of the limitations of DBar include:
1. Abnormal switching between DBar and the target application.
2. Slow response on certain systems, with characters skipped entirely if you
type too quickly.
3. DBar does not work properly when trying to enter text into child dialogs
and windows.
4. Cursor edit keys (such as Backspace and Delete) should be used directly
within the target application, not through DBar.
PRICING
-------
"If you insist" (says the author), you may send HK$50 to:
Kwan Chi Wai
1609, Fung Hei House
Fung Lai Court
Wong Tai Sin, KLN
HONG KONG
for this "Just For Fun" version. Improvements are not guaranteed, but your
written comments are welcome.
MORE INFORMATION
----------------
There are many resources available on the Internet for Chinese language
users of OS/2 Warp. Here are a few (as of July, 1999):
1. WarpMate
http://www.apsy.fju.edu.tw/~os2/download/warpmate.htm
WarpMate, like DBar, is a utility designed to facilitate keyboard entry of
Chinese language characters. However, unlike DBar, WarpMate has difficulty
with newer releases of OS/2 Warp. (It probably will not work with OS/2 Warp
Version 4 if any fixpacks have been installed.)
2. Hong Kong OS/2 Users Group
http://www.os2.org.hk
3. Team OS/2 Taiwan
http://www.apsy.fju.edu.tw/~teamos2
4. The Castle Production
http://members.xoom.com/castlemaster
Includes DBar information plus links to Chinese Editor (utility for direct
entry of Chinese characters into a basic editor, for cut and paste into
other applications), and ChinER (a more professional direct entry utility).
5. Unionway
http://www.unionway.com
There are many Chinese (and other DBCS) language utilities designed for
Windows 3.1x which should work fine under Win-OS/2. Unionway, for example,
produces AsianSuite, a collection of utilities and fonts designed to provide
Chinese, Japanese, and Korean language capabilities.
If you do choose a Windows product, please be sure to tell the vendor you
use it under Win-OS/2. You may also want to ask the vendor for an OS/2 Warp
version (perhaps written in Java or Open32).
6. Internet Newsgroups
The comp.os.os2.utilities newsgroup, although an English language newsgroup,
is a good place to discuss Chinese Editor and other Chinese language
utilities. If you don't have a newsreader you can visit http://www.deja.com
to access this newsgroup and search its archives (as well as the archives of
other newsgroups).
Deja (www.deja.com) also provides access to the tw.bbs.comp.os2 newsgroup.